Another Saint in our Midst

Doug Geddie

Program: Dave Haddow

Grace was spoken by Rick Evans.

Don Shaw helped us with the National Anthem.

Those seated at the head table were: Dave Haddow, Guest speaker, Gregory Bodogh- Darte, Sgt at Arms, George Doty, Member in the Spotlight, and Doug Geddie, to introduce our guests.

George Doty

Member in the Spotlight: A cake, candles and singing accompanied the introduction of George Doty as Member in the Spotlight, in that it is his 90th Birthday celebration. George joined Rotary in 1952, and played a strong leadership role in helping Rotary assist disabled children. George was active in the Easter Seals Society, serving on the Executive and the Foundation, and leading our club in developing Camp Lakewood.

Guests: Heidi Wilson, guest of Judith Barker and Geoffrey Doty, guest of George Doty

Birthdays: Nov 22 Earl Alton, Nov 27, George Doty, Nov 29 Bill Porter and Dec 1 Brian Stewart

Earl Alton and George Doty

Nancy Ferris-Hostick

President Rick discovered that the missing banner wasn’t (missing).

Nancy Ferris-Hostick thanked auction Committee members and the club for bringing off the auction in fine form. She asked the club members to acknowledge the following:

John Travers, Art Weaver, Tom Arkell, Carol Stymiest, Peter Kudreikis, Peggy Davidson, Brian St. Hilaire, Chris Blake, Roger Segalin, Bill Cole, Doug Geddie, Patricia Rooney, Margaret Jarrell, Norma Medulun, Scott Heelis, Kelly Buckley, Ron Dubciak and Ron Bassett. And next year’s Chair- our Sam.!! Due to a 30-minute segment shortage in auction items - we are short $2,000 of our goal. Those who were unable to volunteer or secure items for the auction are welcome and invited to donate $100 to offset that expectation. If this happens we will exceed last year’s sales.

Rick Vanderkuip

President Rick thanked Nancy for two years of doing a great job, and handing over to Sam a strong event.

Dave Edwards was welcomed back after shoulder surgery.

Larry Iggulden, Chair for Every Rotarian Every Year reminded Rotarians that they can give their forms and cheques to Joyce or himself.

Rick Vanderkuip indicated that there are 200 bottles of ice wine available, at $46.95, the proceeds of which go to polio eradication. This product is a wonderful present for friends and family.

Rob Reid

Happy Dollars

Rob Reid led happy dollars with a political joke about the Bushes, sensitive cowboys and horses.

Norm Kreger is happy to be going to Jamaica with pharmaceuticals provided by Not Just Tourists and books he obtained at the Book Depot.

Kelly Buckley was 5 loonies happy about volunteers to help with food at the auction, particularly Ron Dubciak finding the food. She was happy about the 900 people attending the concert she performed at Bethany Church, and the upcoming Sunday evening with McPherson’s Rant at the Patrick Sheehan’s Pub.

Bill Cole was happy to have the remaining auction items for Rotarians to pick up.

Kim Widdicombe is happy to have a chance to volunteer for auction duty again next year.

Nancy Ferris-Hostick was happy that the auction was a great event, and to be free of her final exam for the fitness course.

Peggy Davidson was happy for all the help in the sales room Friday and Saturday, and for special individuals George Shepherd and Bill Orr for helping to bail out the volunteers on Sunday. She was happy with Kelly Buckley’s clean up job, and with Rick and Carole Merritt and Mark Zammit for delivering 10 items to a handicapped auction shopper.

George Park was happy that Sandy Peters brought a large gang of volunteers.

Tim Rigby is both happy that he doesn’t have a job to go to tomorrow, and sad that Ginny has a list for him.

Rob finished up with a seasonal joke involving reindeer.

50/50 Draw: “Our Sam” drew the King of Hearts, failing to secure the $823.50 pot.

Program

Harold Nash

Harold Nash introduced David Haddow, Past District Governor, former member of the Niagara on-the-Lake club, whose long association with Rotary Foundation will make his presentation to us today particularly grounded.

Guest Speaker Dave Haddow:

Dave shared with us in particular about his most recent trip to Brazil, the third in five years. He has visited families of previously hosted youth exchange students, and this most recent trip was the Annual Rotary International Youth Exchange Conference. He shared with us a story about the remarkable Oscar Nierermeyer, age 98, planner extraordinaire for the planned city of Brasilia and still working. Dave linked his Youth Exchange relationships with Rotary to the Foundation, showing us through specific named individuals who are given the Exchange experience become Rotarians as a result of that experience.

Dave Haddow

One such student he met at the Brasilia conference was hosted in District 7090 in St. Catharines 36 years ago. Dave illustrated a number of important concepts for us: how foundation dollars are guided, its importance in the emerging nations, and his preference for that term over Third World. The nature of Rotary Clubs in Brazil, and a thumbnail sketch of issues and projects there, was presented. Clubs coming together for a program for street children, and school feeding programs, were examples. Dave looks forward to having projects to refer to the World community service committee.

He concluded with a reminder that in Foundation month, Rotarians should consider the important work done through the Foundation and give serious consideration to becoming a Foundation supporter. He also recommended that when you travel, try to visit a Rotary club and its projects.

Larry Iggulden, both personally and in his role as Chair of the Foundation Committee, thanked Dave. Rick Merritt added thanks, and presented a certificate to Dave stating that a donation to a Rotary Literacy project had been made in his name.

Dave Haddow and Rick Merritt

Update on Bekki

Bekki has moved to her new home, the residence of Meredith and Terry Donohue in northend St. Catharines.

She continues to be involved in the Laura Secord Choir and Orchestra and is attending several Christmas presentations with each.

The Christmas concert at Laura Secord will be Dec. 12, if Rotarians would like to attend a very professional, enjoyable event.

She has worked hard this semester in her school subjects and this has resulted in an 80.4% average.

She recently learned Power Point and received 50 out of 50 – top marks in the class.

Her favourite subject is English literature and her marks here have been excellent. 

She has made friends with several of the students at the school and is regularly on social outings with them; as well, Rotarians have invited her to various family or community functions and she has been pleased to be asked and has enjoyed the exchanges between Rotarians and herself.

Monies raised via the sale of poinsettias and citrus fruits are in excess of 700.00.